First Send-Off Friendly

USMNT Ready to Test Themselves Against Senegal in World Cup Dress Rehearsal

The countdown to the World Cup is almost over, and Sunday's friendly against Senegal in Charlotte represents the first real opportunity for Mauricio Pochettino's squad to show what this group is capable of ahead of the June 12 opener against Paraguay.

The match at Bank of America Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, TBS) kicks off just under two weeks before group play begins, giving Pochettino valuable time to sharpen his tactical approach before a second tuneup against Germany in Chicago on June 6. With the roster finalized and the squad settled in at the new national training center outside Atlanta, the focus has shifted entirely toward execution.

The Americans enter the friendly with questions still swirling. A difficult March window that produced losses to Belgium and Portugal raised eyebrows, and the concerns about midfield depth that followed Pochettino's roster decisions remain unresolved on paper. Pochettino has hinted at a more possession-oriented system, saying "if we play with one holding midfielder, it's enough," suggesting Tyler Adams could anchor the middle with more attack-minded players around him.

Adams himself returns to the squad after an injury-disrupted club season, though he finished the year strongly with AFC Bournemouth. The captaincy question also lingers, with Tim Ream the likely choice to wear the armband again, though teammates like Weston McKennie have downplayed the significance. "The captaincy band is honestly just a symbol of who the referee talks to," McKennie said.

Senegal, ranked 14th in the world and two spots ahead of the U.S., offers a genuine challenge. Their ability to control possession and create chances through dangerous wingers like Ismaila Sarr and Sadio Mané will test a defense still awaiting the return of injured center back Chris Richards.

For this generation, the World Cup moment has nearly arrived.

Richards on the Bench for Conference Final

Defender Wins European Trophy, Eyes World Cup Return

Chris Richards capped a dramatic week by collecting a winner's medal as Crystal Palace claimed the UEFA Conference League title on Wednesday, defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig, though the American center back watched the entire match from the bench as Palace's medical staff deemed him not yet ready to feature.

The 26-year-old had suffered two torn ligaments in his left ankle during Palace's Premier League draw with Brentford on May 17, sparking immediate concern about his availability for the World Cup. He was subsequently left out of Palace's final league match and was the only member of Pochettino's 26-man squad absent from Tuesday's roster reveal in New York, instead submitting a video message from London.

His appearance on the bench in Leipzig, however, offered an encouraging sign. Palace manager Oliver Glasner had set a clear standard heading into the final, saying neither Richards nor midfielder Adam Wharton would play unless fully fit following late fitness tests. Wharton started, while Richards was held back, but simply being dressed for a European final suggested meaningful progress.

Richards is now expected to link up with the USMNT at the national training center in Georgia later this week. Pochettino, for his part, has remained measured in his assessment. "We don't know. We'll see tomorrow if he plays, and then we will decide," the coach said Tuesday. "We have time before the World Cup to make changes if needed."

That flexibility matters because Richards is widely considered Pochettino's most important defensive piece. He missed the 2022 World Cup with a hamstring injury and has waited years for this opportunity on home soil. With the U.S. opener against Paraguay set for June 12 in Los Angeles, the timeline for a full return remains tight, but very much alive.

Senegal Ready for the U.S.

A Golden Generation's Last World Cup Dance

When the USMNT takes the field Sunday in Charlotte against Senegal, they won't be facing just any warm-up opponent. The Lions of Teranga arrive in North America as one of Africa's most dangerous sides, and one with serious ambitions for this summer's tournament.

Coach Pape Thiaw has made no attempt to hide those aspirations. "If, even for a second, I doubted that I could win the World Cup with Senegal, then I would step aside," he declared earlier this year. Remarkably, the footballing world has largely taken him at his word.

The confidence isn't unfounded. Senegal qualified for the tournament undefeated, topping their CAF group with 24 points after a dominant campaign. Their squad boasts genuine world-class talent, headlined by all-time leading scorer Sadio Mané (51 international goals), defensive stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly, and veteran midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who leads the nation with 122 caps. Observers have called this a "golden generation" for whom the 2026 World Cup represents a now-or-never moment.

Senegal's strength stems from two sources: a network of productive domestic academies that have consistently supplied players to Europe's top leagues, and aggressive diaspora recruitment targeting French-born talent before they commit to other nations. The result is a squad blending experienced veterans with exciting young players like 18-year-old PSG forward Ibrahim Mbaye.

Their World Cup draw, however, is brutal. Placed in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Iraq, they will have their June 16 opener against France at MetLife Stadium as an immediate measuring stick.

Off the pitch, there's been minor turbulence around Thiaw's contract situation, though the Senegalese Football Federation has firmly denied reports of any travel disruptions tied to the issue, calling such suggestions "unfounded rumours."

Sunday's friendly in Charlotte kicks off at Bank of America Stadium.

Pochettino Navigates Rumors

Managers Dealt With Questions About His Next Job During World Cup Prep

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just weeks away, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino finds himself juggling tournament preparations alongside an unwanted off-field distraction: reported interest from AC Milan.

The story broke Thursday morning as the U.S. squad gathered at the newly opened Arthur M. Blank National Training Center outside Atlanta. Reports emerged that Pochettino had met with Milan representatives about their vacant coaching position following the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri. When asked directly, Pochettino denied personally meeting with Milan officials, but left the door open regarding his representatives. "My representatives? It may be possible because they need to do their job," he said.

Despite the noise, U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson firmly dismissed concerns about distraction. "I'm confident that Mauricio and team are 100 percent focused on this summer," Batson told reporters, noting that Pochettino's staff were among the first to arrive and last to leave the training facility.

Pochettino's contract expires following the tournament, and the Argentine hasn't hidden his desire to eventually return to club soccer in Europe, where he has homes in London and Barcelona. Still, he insists his commitment to the World Cup is ironclad.

On the football side, preparations appear well advanced. Pochettino reportedly had his preferred starting lineup locked in since before March camp. The team will play final tuneups against Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte and Germany on June 6 in Chicago before heading to their California base ahead of the June 12 opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

USMNT Release 2026 World Cup Roster

Manager Pochettino Named His 26-Man Roster on Tuesday

Mauricio Pochettino unveiled the United States Men's National Team's 26-player World Cup roster on Tuesday, May 26, during a star-studded event at Pier 17 in New York City, broadcast live on FOX. The team will now head to Atlanta to begin final preparations before two pre-tournament friendlies.

The selections were largely predictable, with 13 players returning from the 2022 Qatar squad, including marquee names like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. Pulisic leads the roster with 84 caps, making him the most experienced player on the team.

The forward group drew particular praise. Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright combined for 56 club goals this season, with Balogun scoring 19 for Monaco, Pepi also netting 19 to lead PSV Eindhoven to a Dutch title despite injury, and Wright bagging 18 to help Coventry City earn Premier League promotion.

The roster wasn't without controversy, however. The omission of Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who was shut down by his club due to a muscle strain, came as a "big surprise" to the player himself. Rather than replacing him with another midfielder like Aidan Morris, Pochettino instead added defender Joe Scally, a move that left the midfield looking thin on depth.

For the first time since MLS launched in 1996, all three goalkeepers on the roster—Chris Brady, Matt Freese, and Matt Turner—play in the domestic league. Notably, Brady becomes the first uncapped player named to a USMNT World Cup roster since Juergen Sommer in 1994.

The Americans open Group D play against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.